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"Linux runs perfectly on old hardware." I prefer NetBSD. I do not need graphics. I make custom images that boot from USB or the network. As for Windows, the

"Linux runs perfectly on old hardware." I prefer NetBSD. I do not need graphics. I make custom images that boot from USB or the network. As for Windows, there was a time, in the 32-bit era, and before the widepsread availability of virtual machines and Windows 3.11 images, when users were compelled to upgrade hardware and Windows versions. It was not made easy for a non-technical user to buy new hardware and use 3.11 if the hardware came with a more recent Windows version pre-installed. Microsoft will not facilitate installing older Windows versions on newer hardware ("metal", not VM) and may actively discourage it. In contrast I can easily install any version of NetBSD I want on new hardware. I am not compelled to install the most recent version. There is user choice. How easy is it today to run Office in a VM on Linux?

Wowfunhappy 6y ago
> Microsoft will not facilitate installing older Windows versions on newer hardware It usually works though nowadays, unless you go nuts and try to boot Windows XP or something. Are there any processors that flat-out can't run Windows 7 atm? (Older versions of macOS, on the other hand, absolutely will not run on newer processors.)
- pwdisswordfish2 6y ago
  If trying to get this work, Windows 7 is a good choice? Have you ever successfuly imaged Windows 7 from an older laptop and installed it on a new compuer? I only need Office. I do not necessarily need the latest version, so long as documents are XML-based.
  - Wowfunhappy 6y ago
    I have never imaged OS's—I'm sure it's a fine practice since lots of people do it, but it feels "unclean". I always do clean installs. That said, I was able to pretty quickly install Windows 7 on a then-just-released Ryzen 3950X last October. I do remember there being one hitch, I think I had to slipstream in USB 3.0 drivers.
sergeykish 6y ago
Super, Linux was just an example I use. I am running rolling release distribution on desktop and Ubuntu LTS on server. My choice of secure installations is limited [1]. Looks similar in NetBSD [2]. Microsoft had no interest in support - better if customer buy new version and support have significant cost. VirtualBox solved running Windows in VM at least ten years ago. Office support in Wine is from platinum to garbage [3], [4], have not tried. I can imagine running outdated versions behind firewall. Running newer versions requires newer hardware. And internet facing applications should be up to date so modern browser support is limited - Firefox ESR at best. I run w3m from console only on emergency. Speaking of hardware - Moore's law is dead. I do not think 2020 notebook differs much from 2014 notebook. Except better display and battery. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_version_history#Version_timeline https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_version_history#Version... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetBSD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetBSD [3] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=10 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio... [4] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=11 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio...

Wowfunhappy 6y ago

> Microsoft will not facilitate installing older Windows versions on newer hardware It usually works though nowadays, unless you go nuts and try to boot Windows XP or something. Are there any processors that flat-out can't run Windows 7 atm? (Older versions of macOS, on the other hand, absolutely will not run on newer processors.)

pwdisswordfish2 6y ago
If trying to get this work, Windows 7 is a good choice? Have you ever successfuly imaged Windows 7 from an older laptop and installed it on a new compuer? I only need Office. I do not necessarily need the latest version, so long as documents are XML-based.
- Wowfunhappy 6y ago
  I have never imaged OS's—I'm sure it's a fine practice since lots of people do it, but it feels "unclean". I always do clean installs. That said, I was able to pretty quickly install Windows 7 on a then-just-released Ryzen 3950X last October. I do remember there being one hitch, I think I had to slipstream in USB 3.0 drivers.

sergeykish 6y ago

Super, Linux was just an example I use. I am running rolling release distribution on desktop and Ubuntu LTS on server. My choice of secure installations is limited [1]. Looks similar in NetBSD [2]. Microsoft had no interest in support - better if customer buy new version and support have significant cost. VirtualBox solved running Windows in VM at least ten years ago. Office support in Wine is from platinum to garbage [3], [4], have not tried. I can imagine running outdated versions behind firewall. Running newer versions requires newer hardware. And internet facing applications should be up to date so modern browser support is limited - Firefox ESR at best. I run w3m from console only on emergency. Speaking of hardware - Moore's law is dead. I do not think 2020 notebook differs much from 2014 notebook. Except better display and battery. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_version_history#Version_timeline https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_version_history#Version... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetBSD https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NetBSD [3] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=10 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio... [4] https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=11 https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=applicatio...